Usable Without Touch? Revealing the Relationship Between Usability and Mid-Air Gestures

Mid-air gestures are an interaction method where the participant uses their hand(s) to perform a movement or sequence that represents control. This method of interaction is becoming more common for public use, yet the impact on usability lacks summarization. This systematic review explores themes of usability testing methods, applications, gesture design, multimodal combinations, input comparisons, and the participants. Findings reveal that the usability outcomes (effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction) vary based on the type of evaluation method, application, design of gestures, and testing methods used. Furthermore, participant differences such as prior experience, training, and physical ability affect perceived usability. These insights reveal the need for inclusive, adaptive, and context-aware design strategies. Future research should standardize usability evaluation practices and prioritize user-centered approaches to mid-air gesture development. We propose guidelines for future research that will improve gesture systems, feedback, contextual fit, and usability evaluations.